YNBY demonstrates hemostatic effects when applied topically on open wounds ⁽²⁾. Microscopic examination identified nanofiber components which may help activate blood clotting, act as scaffolding for tissue repair, and prevent infection by wound sealing ⁽⁴⁾. Preclinical studies suggest anti-inflammatory activity may occur through lymphocyte suppression and proinflammatory cytokine expression ⁽¹¹⁾ and modulation of COX and LOX pathways ⁽³⁰⁾. YNBY extract may also activate intracellular prostaglandin E(2) and thromboxane B(2) in osteoblasts ⁽⁸⁾.

Anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects by notoginseng may occur via fibrinogen reduction ^(6) (7). Notoginseng also protected endothelial function and vascular integrity by regulating focal adhesion kinase, integrin expression and NF-kappa B functions ^(19) (20), and inhibited vascular intimal hyperplasia by lowering expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cyclinE, cyclinD1, FN and MMP-9. ⁽²¹⁾. Antimicrobial activity has been suggested in a Pseudomonas aeruginosa model, wherein a water extract of YNBY reduced bacterial virulence by affecting quorum-sensing signaling and reducing biofilm formation ⁽⁵⁾.

In other studies, notoginsenoside Ft1, a saponin constituent, induced platelet aggregation by binding to platelet P2Y₁₂ receptors ⁽³⁾. It demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting neutrophil function and NO and PGE2 production through reduced iNOS and COX-2 expression ⁽¹⁰⁾. In peritoneal macrophages, notoginseng had a bidirectional regulatory effect, inhibiting COX-2 expression at an early stage and elevating it at a later stage ⁽²²⁾. Data also suggest it can inhibit expression of NF-kappaB activity and TNF-alpha mRNA ⁽¹²⁾. Notoginseng may play a role in periodontal disease treatment by suppressing MMP-2 expression and by inhibiting breakdown of bone tissue ⁽⁹⁾. In another study, Ginsenoside-Rd isolated from notoginseng reduced atherosclerosis by inhibiting LDL uptake and cholesterol accumulation in macrophages ⁽²³⁾.

Some studies report that notoginseng and constituent ginsenosides mimic estrogen ⁽¹⁶⁾ by binding and activating the estrogen receptor ⁽¹⁸⁾ and ER-alpha pathway ⁽¹⁷⁾. In an animal study, notoginseng selectively sensitized tumor cells to radiation ⁽²⁴⁾. However, this effect has not been demonstrated in humans.